The Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings have experienced starkly contrasting seasons. The Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference with a stellar 64-win record, claiming the top seed, whereas the Kings struggled, finishing with only 40 wins in the West and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

With Cleveland's playoff journey ending in the conference semifinals, discussions about potential roster changes are heating up. As the Kings look to fill their lead guard position after trading De'Aaron Fox, they are reportedly targeting Cavaliers' Darius Garland, who is recovering from toe surgery and could miss significant time. Garland, a two-time All-Star, averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists this season.

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, powered by Tyrese Haliburton's clutch last-second shot, capping a thrilling comeback. With Game 2 set for Sunday, the Thunder are favored to win by 11 points, hoping to even the series at home. Haliburton's projected assists total for Game 2 is set at 8.5, and he is likely to surpass it, given his impressive postseason stats. The Thunder need to improve their rebounding, particularly from Chet Holmgren, who fell short in Game 1 with just six boards.

For Game 2, the SportsLine Projection Model favors several player props, including Holmgren projected to exceed 8.5 rebounds, averaging 9.1 in simulations. Myles Turner is also projected to surpass 13.5 points, following a solid performance in Game 1. As for Haliburton, his assists production is expected to rise, with the model projecting him to achieve around 9.8 assists in the upcoming game.

The NBA Finals commence with the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Indiana Pacers in Game 1. The Thunder aim to maintain their impressive performance, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Key players such as Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Luguentz Dort need to elevate their game for an early series advantage. Williams has made history this season, becoming the first player since Bill Walton to achieve All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive Team selections while competing in the Finals within his first three seasons. His stellar play, averaging over 20 points in the playoffs, will be crucial for the Thunder's success.

The 2025 NBA Finals promises an interesting clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the underdog Indiana Pacers. Gilgeous-Alexander's dominance has propelled the Thunder past formidable opponents, while Tyrese Haliburton's leadership has been pivotal for the Pacers, especially after their stunning victory over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference. As both teams enter the Finals, the MVP race heats up, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton positioned as favorites.

In assessing potential MVP candidates, several players emerge: for the Thunder, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are key contributors, while Pascal Siakam's impressive playoff performance boosts his candidacy for the Pacers. The Finals MVP will likely come from the winning team, putting the focus squarely on the stars and their supporting casts as they vie for this prestigious accolade.

The 2025 NBA Finals sees an intriguing matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, two teams whose trajectories were significantly altered by the trades involving Paul George. Drafted by the Pacers in 2010, George's journey took him from Indiana to Oklahoma City in 2017, followed by a move to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, capitalized on George's departure, acquiring a treasure trove of future assets, while the Pacers reshaped their roster through the trade that sent George away.

The Thunder, aiming to fill the void left by Kevin Durant's exit, saw the acquisition of George as a pivotal step. Although the team experienced early playoff exits, George's presence was instrumental in convincing Russell Westbrook to stay with the franchise. Meanwhile, Indiana transformed their roster in the wake of George's departure, with Victor Oladipo emerging as an All-Star in his new environment and Domantas Sabonis becoming a key player before eventually being traded to the Sacramento Kings for Tyrese Haliburton. This series of events set the stage for both franchises to reach the Finals.